Southcoast is the exclusive provider of this essential service in Southeastern Mass.
| For Immediate Release | Contact: Joyce Brennan |
| August 25, 2008 | 508-961-5270 |
| brennanj@southcoast.org | |
 Get this release in Word format |
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FAIRHAVEN, Mass. — Southcoast Hospice & Palliative Care, part of Southcoast Hospitals Group, has joined The Pediatric Palliative Care Network, a division of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health that serves the unmet physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of children in Massachusetts with life-limiting illnesses. As part of the designation, Southcoast Hospice & Palliative Care was awarded a $50,000 state grant.
Southcoast Hospice joins a network of 10 providers in the state and is the only licensed provider of pediatric palliative care services in Bristol County Massachusetts. The service covers the entire South Coast region.
The Pediatric Palliative Care Provider Network is designed to meet the medical needs of pediatric patients facing life-limiting illnesses while offering comfort and support to family members.
"Much like Southcoast's hospice care services, the Pediatric Palliative Care program supports families and caregivers by using a wide-range of services, including pain and symptom management, case management, social services and counseling," said Paula Shiner, Director of Southcoast Home Care, Hospice & Palliative Care & Infusion Services. "However, palliative care differs in that a child does not have a specific time to live, actually many children with life-limiting illnesses live a long time."
Life-limiting illnesses are conditions where premature death is likely or expected. These include HIV, cystic fibrosis, progressive metabolic disorders, severe cerebral palsy, or severe brain malfunctions.
"There is a great need for pediatric palliative care services in our region. It can be very difficult to balance the physical and emotional care that is necessary to care for a child with a chronic illness," said Lorrie Rezendes, Clinical Manager, Southcoast Hospice and Palliative Care. "Through the Pediatric Palliative Care Network, Southcoast can offer assistance in ways that traditional insurance does not cover. Many parents provide care around the clock and can use help with day-to-day tasks. Trained volunteers and health aides can offer sitting services, run errands, and help bath and care for the child. We can also help parents navigate community services and find additional resources."
Rezendes said that the new service also provides bereavement counseling for siblings and extended family. "Whatever it is, we are here to help," she said.
Services through the network are provided at no cost to children 18 years old or younger who qualify. To learn more about Southcoast Hospice & Palliative Care's Pediatric Palliative Care services, call 508-984-0200.
About Southcoast
Southcoast Health System is a community based health delivery system with multiple access points, offering an integrated continuum of health services throughout Southeastern Massachusetts and East Bay, Rhode Island. It includes the three hospitals that make up Southcoast Hospitals Group — Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford and Tobey Hospital in Wareham.
Southcoast provides advanced clinical services, such as open heart surgery, angioplasty and heart rhythm services, neurosurgery, weight loss surgery, orthopedic surgery and advanced imaging services. Southcoast is a not-for-profit charitable organization that depends on the support of the community to provide services.
More information is available onlinwww.southcoast.org.
Media Contact
Joyce Faria Brennan
Public Information Officer
Phone: 508-961-5270
Pager: 508-387-9605
Fax: 508-961-5876
brennanj@southcoast.org
